Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has showered praise on Nitish Kumar Reddy after India registered a seven-wicket win in the second T20I against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Tuesday.
Reddy, who had returned with expensive figures of 0-20 in two overs he bowled in the series opener, bounced back in the second game. The all-rounder bagged 3-24, which is his best T20I figures, in three overs he bowled.
Reddy accounted for Gulbadin Naib, Ibrahim Zadran and Rashid Khan in his fine spell. The SRH all-rounder changed his pace with guile to bamboozle the opposition batters. Chopra also the rest of the Indian bowlers after they restricted Afghanistan 159-8.
“What was India’s problem? India’s problem was what the fifth bowler would do, how he would bowl, and whether he would be able to pick up wickets. I am quite happy with the way things went. Jasprit Bumrah conceded 25 runs in four overs and picked up a wicket. He is gold. He bowls the same way whenever you bowl him. Arshdeep Singh has had an excellent series – 35 runs in four overs and two wickets,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
“Axar Patel – 28 runs in four overs. Once again, he bowled like a bank. Ravi Bishnoi conceded 32 runs and picked up a wicket. Nitish Kumar Reddy – 24 runs in three overs and three wickets. You even got him to bowl the 20th over. Nitish Kumar Reddy has raised your expectations a little. For the question of who after Hardik Pandya, he is putting his hat into the ring,” he added.
On the other hand, the renowned commentator questioned Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran’s captaincy. Chopra said Zadran didn’t use Rashid Khan effectively. Khan was not given a single over in the Powerplay overs when Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson were going all guns blazing.
“What is Ibrahim Zadran doing? Afghanistan took three wickets in total, and Rashid Khan took all three wickets. India needed four runs for a win when he came to bowl his fourth over. Why did you call him at all for his fourth over?” he said.
“None of your bowlers were successful. Whoever was coming was getting hit. Everybody was batting with a lot of comfort, but one guy had taken three wickets. Give him the fourth over at least. The fourth over was given when the match was over. I felt the captaincy was 50-50,” Chopra observed.
The third and final T20I between Afghanistan and India will be played at Delhi on Thursday.
